Legal Officer, Amnesty International Ireland – Deadline 22 April

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Applications are invited for a Legal Officer for Amnesty International Ireland’s programme of work on economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights in Ireland. The role is offered on a full time basis and the post holder will be responsible for the delivery of legal analysis and key policy products within the agreed timeframe.

This is a dedicated programme of work to promote policy solutions, build political will and create civil society capacity on ESC rights. This will include pursuing legal and political opportunities available to government to ensure delivery of ESC rights, like a legal guarantee of equal access to healthcare and ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and building civil society capacity and political will in support of ESC rights. This fits within Amnesty International Ireland’s programme of domestic research and advocacy, and international campaigning on economic, social and cultural rights.

The Legal Officer will focus on the development of legal analysis on justiciability of ESC rights in Ireland, and the production of key policy products to support the ESC rights programme.

Ideally, the successful candidate will have:

• Relevant qualification or experience in Irish law and international human rights.
• Experience in producing legal analysis and policy documents on ESC rights.
• Knowledge of Irish legal system, existing constitutional law, human rights provisions and international and national mechanisms for ESC rights protection.
• Experience in working on the domestic application of international human rights law on ESC rights.
• Specific knowledge or experience on the right to health desirable but not essential.
• Knowledge of Irish government and political processes.
• Knowledge of the NGO sector in Ireland and experience of building relationships with stakeholders.
• Proven high quality communication skills, both verbal and written.  Capacity to explain complex issues simply and clearly in a concise, direct and understandable way for diverse audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with particular reference to working with both a small team and a wider audience of external stakeholders.
• Ability to work well under pressure, maintaining both a highly organised level of accuracy and output; and to plans and prioritise work to ensure deadlines are met.    

The salary for this full-time position of 35 hours per week is approximately €39,000 - €43,000 per annum, depending upon experience. This is a fixed-term position that will run until November 2014.

Applicants are required to complete the Amnesty International application form and forward it to Agata Senkara, Human Resources Manager, at positions@amnesty.ie. Please note that CV’s will not be accepted. Applications may also be sent by post to Amnesty International, Seán MacBride House, 48 Fleet St, Dublin 2. Application forms can be downloaded from www.amnesty.ie under ‘Work’. Applicants are also asked to enclose one sample of their writing, preferably on ESC rights, with their application.

Closing date for applications is the 22nd April 2013.
Interviews will be held the week of 29th April 2013.

Amnesty International is committed to working together to maintain a workplace environment that encourages and supports equal opportunities. Equality and diversity are at the core of our values and staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote equality. We strive to ensure that everyone is treated equally and is respected for their individuality and diversity.

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